I'm a sucker for a retelling, especially for Peter Pan! I don't tend to enjoy the darker Peter Pan retellings but this one really intrigued me! I really loved the parts about Wendy after Neverland and her time in an asylum. I found the book easy to follow even though the book jumps between then and when Jane is taken, as well as it's told from Jane and Wendy's POV. I will say, if you in it for Captain Hook or pirates then move along, they are barely even referenced in this on! The focus is very much on evil Peter and mother-daughter relationships

Ever since I first read Peter Pan, I have wanted a horror retelling. Because the basic premise, a boy who refuses to change and grow up, a land that changes itself to his will, and the children he takes "so long as children are gay and innocent and heartless."

And A. C. Wise gave me everything I wanted and more. Wendy, Darling follows a grown Wendy who, after spending some time in an asylum after refusing to disavow Neverland, has had a daughter of her own. And eventually, Peter Pan comes calling.

Wendy's strength of character was amazing. She showed a backbone in the little ways she fought back in the asylum, and then the big ways when she figures out how to return to Neverland to retrieve her daughter on her own. We also see her flaws, and the costs her secrecy and lies have taken. Jane knows nothing about Pan or Neverland, and is helpless when he abducts her.

The scene setting of Neverland was completely perfect, Everything seems like fun and games, right at first, except for Jane's forgetting of her own name. But the creeping, insidious horror of Peter's games and demands keep growing and growing until we're forced to confront a boy who has never had to hear no or face a consequence.

I loved all the little callbacks to the original story, but also the way they were given fresh life in this wonderful retelling. Highly recommended for anyone that likes creepy retellings and badass mothers doing what they need to.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Titan Books for this arc.

I love a retelling, especially when a twists has been put on the original tale, and this one does not disappoint.

With Peter Pan as the villain, everything we knew about this tale is turned on its head. Seeing Neverland through Wendy's eyes was refreshing and only made me love her character more. A brilliant read, would definitely recommend.

"Wendy Darling" by A.C. Wise

DNF at 35%
Wendy, Darling is a dark retelling of Peter Pan. It takes place decades after the original story and Peter returns to the Darling's estate to retrieve Wendy's daughter and bring her to Neverland.
I did like the darker and slightly terrifying setting that the author chose for this reimagining of a beloved children's story. However, I could not connect with the writing style and found myself often getting impatient and switching to speed reading. Especially Wendy's viewpoint made me skip a lot of pages to get to more exciting points in the story. I decided to DNF at this point.

Even if this particular story wasn't for me, I really enjoyed the idea of a darker Peter Pan retelling and if you do too this might hit the spot.

A.C. Wise's "Wendy, Darling" is a beautifully reimagined and thought-provoking novel that takes the beloved characters from J.M. Barrie's classic "Peter Pan" and breathes new life into their stories. By offering a fresh perspective on Neverland and its inhabitants, Wise invites readers to delve deeper into the complexities of these beloved characters, while also exploring themes of trauma, identity, and the passage of time.

The story follows Wendy, now an adult in the real world, who is haunted by memories of her time in Neverland. She has grown up, married, and started a family, yet the pull of Peter Pan and Neverland is inescapable. Her children, particularly her daughter, are drawn into the enchanting world of her stories, leading Wendy to confront her past and her lingering connection to the Boy Who Never Grew Up.

Wise's writing is evocative and emotionally resonant, drawing readers into the narrative with vivid descriptions and a deep exploration of character psychology. The characters are multi-dimensional and grapple with their own demons and dilemmas, making them far more relatable and complex than the original tale might suggest.

The book provides a haunting examination of the lingering impact of trauma and the ways in which the past can shape and reshape the present. It delves into themes of motherhood, responsibility, and the passage of time, all while maintaining a dreamlike atmosphere that keeps the reader engaged.

"Wendy, Darling" offers a fresh and insightful interpretation of Peter Pan and Neverland, taking what is often seen as a whimsical and carefree story and infusing it with a layer of darkness and emotional depth. The novel's exploration of the power of storytelling and the ways in which our past can shape our present is a testament to its thought-provoking nature.

However, some readers might find the story's pacing a bit slow at times, as it prioritizes character development and introspection over fast-paced action. Additionally, those expecting a traditional, light-hearted Peter Pan adaptation might be surprised by the darker and more introspective tone of this book.

In conclusion, "Wendy, Darling" by A.C. Wise is a beautifully crafted and emotionally resonant reimagining of a classic tale. It breathes new life into familiar characters while delving into the psychological complexities of Wendy's world. This thought-provoking novel is a must-read for those who appreciate a fresh perspective on timeless stories and the profound impact of the past on our lives.

I was a bit hesitant when picking this up, as I was afraid I wouldn't be able to get into it. Luckily that was not a problem at all, and I really enjoyed this. The story was entertaining, and I loved the different timelines and povs. It was quite predictable, though, but all in all this made for a book that I can definitely recommend.

I was so excited for this book! But aside from an interesting premise there wasn't much else going on in this book. It felt padded yet meandering and I just never connected to it the way I wanted to

A lovely book that doesn't pull back from the difficulties of the origin story, this grabbed me from the first. There seem to be a lot of Peter Pan retellings lately for some reason, but this stands above them easily. The characters are well-drawn and relatable, and the reader is subtly engaged through genuine care and 'realistic' (as far as can be!) magic.

It reminded me of the London parts of the movie 'Hook', with Dame Maggie Smith as Wendy. I think that was in my mind's eye as I read here - a very era-appropriate Lady, but with her own mind and strength waiting in the wings. Pun not intended, but appropriate!

Recommended for all those who grew up and took their magic into adulthood with them.

A wonderful feminist retelling of Peter Pan! I loved the world building in this and got so swept away in this story. A very fun read!

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I found the subject matter really interesting. The book was well written and easy to understand. I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me a free advanced copy of this book to read and review.

Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book! First, that cover is beautiful! It grabbed my attention immediately. I have a soft spot for retellings and couldn't resist this one. I enjoyed the writing style and the overall plot. I would recommend.

This is about what happens to the Darling children, particularly Wendy, after their visit to Neverland. I loved the darker themes involved, so dark and gritty. Wendy, Darling is a complete twist and makes Peter Pan quite creepy feeling. I would definitely recommend this wholeheartedly

NetGalley why?!! I was approved a few days before it was archived and didn’t download it soon enough! I saw many people love this one and will be reading it from the library for a full review!

4.25 stars rounded down, a twisted new take on Peter and Neverland years after his first visit. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wendy Darling grants readers a look into what Grown Up Wendy would do to get her daughter back. Peter returns for Wendy, but upon realizing that she is grown up, he takes her daughter, Jane, and attempts to rebrand her as a new Wendy. With flashbacks at Wendy's past and trials dealing with Neverland after returning home the first time, this is a grown up look at power and what we keep in the shadows to appear powerful.

I truly enjoyed this sequel to the story of Peter and Wendy. It was really interesting seeing Peter through a grown adult's eyes as well as his ability to shape Neverland into what he wants. The author revisits many of the characters from the original story, but the one thing I found missing was Tinkerbell. No pixie dust was a bit of a buzzkill for me, but not enough that it affected the overall story. Wendy's time in an asylum was horrific but necessary. It was where she learned how to be resourceful when it comes to people attempting to force their will upon you.

4.25 stars from me, rounded down to 4. I recommend this for readers who love fairy tale retellings or those who are looking to learn more about what makes Neverland magical. Age range is 14+ due to some violence.

This is a difficult book to review. It’s incredibly clever and well-written. I’m a big fan of twisted fairytales, and the feminist spin on the dangers of boys who refuse to grow up is brilliant. But this book was so utterly depressing I just didn’t really love it. Even dark and twisted fairytales generally contain some whimsy but there was none of that here. There was magic but it never felt magical. The best part of the story was the relationship between Wendy and Mary, and towards the end, Wendy and Ned. I hate what the author did with John and Michael and Jane never felt like a character in her own right, more just a plot device to get Wendy back to Neverland. I love the point the book was trying to get across but not the way it got there.

(Review originally published on Goodreads June 3, 2021)

I think this might be one of my favourite books so far this year.

Peter Pan is one of my favourite stories, and A.C. Wise's ability to switch from whimsy to heartbreak and terror is phenomenal. I sensed inspiration from Lord of the Flies (island overrun by monstrous little boys), a little Fried Green Tomatoes (female friendships forged in adversity, with a possible hint at Wendy not being straight).

Wendy, Darling's additions to the Neverland lore are solid, adding a clear through-line to how sometimes growing up changes your perspective on your childhood, and how Peter Pan and the inhabitants of Neverland fared since Wendy, John, and Michael were first whisked away on their adventure so many years ago.

In summary, this book is a knockout. Haunting, beautiful prose; a well-paced plot; and the ultimate showdown between life, loss, wonder, and reality.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love retellings, but sadly this book didn't work for me. I also love feminism, but the type of stories that get labeled with "feminist" in the blurb or summary are typically stories that I don't enjoy. Because of the tone of the story and the fact that it is a retelling, I agree that people who enjoy Circe will probably enjoy Wendy, Darling.

I adore any adaptation of Peter Pan. Aside from this one. I picked this up so many times trying to read it, as I was so SO desperate to love it from the description. A feminist adaptation of my favourite story? Sign me up! It was an intriguing tale and had a great plan, clever world building and adaptations to the original material. I wanted to love it. A great take at portraying PTSD, abuse, misogyny and homophobia… But I was bored. The stakes felt high, but I had no connection to the character and their narration. I received an arc copy for review and leave this view voluntarily

My Review - ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Absolutely loved this story, following on from what happened to Wendy Darling after she left Neverland and grew up. Definitely makes you rethink ever wanting to go to Neverland, Wendy grew up and became a mother - one who would risk everything to save her daughter after her childhood friend Peter kidnaps her.

I loved Wendy's character, she was strong - even after all she'd been through - & flawed but determined to do the right thing after being oppressed for so long.

The book goes back in parts to Wendy's first trip to Neverland & this dark & terrifying version of the story had me hooked, it was a great psychological thriller as well as a retelling of a well known childhood story